20 Facts You Didn’t Know About The Legend That Is Kobe Bryant
If you’re a basketball fan or if you happen to watch games when a friend has the TV tuned to ESPN, you most likely have seen Kobe Bryant once or twice. Number #24 on the LA Lakers, he’s known as an all-around great guy both on and off the court. To this day, he’s still regarded as one of the best basketball players in history, even after his retirement in 2016. The 6’6 powerhouse combines class and ability without any effort, earning him the title as one of the greatest ever. However, there’s a whole lot more to Kobe than meets the eye. We’re sure most of you don’t know all there is to about this incredible guy, so read on for the inside scoop on the basketball legend!
Philadelphia Born, Italian Raised
While he was born in Philadelphia, Kobe Bryant and his family relocated to Italy when he was only 5 years old. The Bryant family moved after his father, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant (top middle) retired from the NBA and decided to continue his career by playing overseas. The family lived in Rieti, a small city in the center of Italy for 9 years. When Kobe (bottom right) was 14, the family moved back to the States, just in time for him to start high school. Kobe attributes his skill and success to learning how to play basketball outside the U.S. He’s said that he’s had to rely on fundamentals while kids in America were taught to rely on athleticism. Recently, other players have come out and made similar claims.
Philadelphia Born, Italian Raised